Cash crunch makes Zimbabwe’s 2013 polls uncertain

Zimbabwe cannot afford to hold elections in 2013, Finance Minister, Tendai Biti, said on Friday, and appealed to the international community for aid.

“The biggest challenge is funding the elections and the referendum. It is clear that our resources are not going to be enough,” said Biti.

“The international community has to come in for assistance.”

Biti, from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, said “diamond revenues are still not reaching state coffers, amid allegations that the military is funneling cash to its own pockets and that of President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party.’’

A referendum on a new constitution was meant to take place this year but never materialised.

The southern African nation is also to hold general elections in 2013, which should put an end to the fragile coalition government between the MDC and Zanu-PF, in place since 2009.

Neighbouring governments pushed the two parties into the deal after the 2008 elections were tainted by violence, mainly targeting the MDC.

The regional power wants a new constitution passed before elections are held, but Mugabe has threatened to hold polls under the current laws, which opposition groups say favour the 88-year-old’s grip on power.